Pirates Option Bryan Morris, Re-Assign Two More

The Pittsburgh Pirates made a few cuts from major league camp this morning. They optioned right-hander Bryan Morris to Triple-A, and reassigned infielders Ivan De Jesus Jr. and Jared Goedert to minor league camp. It was previously believed that Morris was out of options, although earlier this week we learned that he was granted a fourth option year. De Jesus had a very small chance of making the team after the addition of John McDonald.

The Spring Training tracker is updated with the move. There are now 37 active players in camp, plus Charlie Morton, Francisco Liriano, and Jose Contreras rehabbing, and Chase d’Arnaud on the 60-day disabled list.

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Tim Williams

Tim is the owner and editor in chief of Pirates Prospects. He started the site in January 2009, and turned it into his full time job during the 2011 season. Prior to starting Pirates Prospects, Tim worked with AccuScore.com, providing MLB, NHL, and NFL coverage to various national media outlets, including ESPN Insider, USA Today, Yahoo Sports, and the Wall Street Journal. He also writes the annual Prospect Guide, which is sold through the site. Tim lives in Bradenton, where he provides live coverage all year of Spring Training, mini camp, instructs, the Bradenton Marauders, and the GCL Pirates.

I can see how important it was to give more development time to Morris. He has a lot he has to prove.

And it was nice of Huntington to give McDonald a roster spot. This likely is McDonald’s last stop as a MLer. So he’ll have one more nice paycheck to cash before he retires to a life collecting Social Security.

/sarcasm

http://www.facebook.com/lee.young.161 Lee Young

Wasn’t a fan of sending Morris down.

.

imadushbag

can we cut hawpe, i got no fingernails left?

http://twitter.com/frsthypocrit frsthypocrit

I may have more issue with sending Morris down than any other move this spring (as long as Inge and Hawpe get bounced). What in the world could he have to prove? Why burn his option when you’ve got a bunch of fodder in camp?

https://profiles.google.com/116255365477483987850 jalcorn

I’m stunned by Morris heading down too, what does he have left to prove at AAA? The guy will be 26 on opening day, he is in his prime, trust your minor league talent NH! Who makes the pen now?

http://www.facebook.com/stephen.brooks.581 Stephen Brooks

Also confounded by sending Morris down. I had the pen as Grilli, Melancon, Hughes, Watson, Morris, Leroux and Karstens (assuming Sanchez earns the 5th starter spot) – figuring there was a pretty significant drop off after those first 6. Even with Watson struggling, you replace him with another lefty, Wilson. Unless the Bucs pull a surprise and go with a 6-man pen, this doesn’t make sense to me.

Y2JGQ2

Yeah- it makes no sense. I’m guessing they are expecting Karstens to get ready for the rotation and Watson to get it together before the break of camp, BUT i don’t see that happening. I fully expect Morris back before the end of April unless he gets injured